USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 5
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9,6
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
The year 1956 saw few changes in the Bureau of Old Age Assistance and Department of Public Welfare. Under Old Age Assistance the case load decreased slightly, following the trend of the past few years, and the average cost per case remained the same. There was a similar drop in case load un- der Disability Assistance due to a change in the law which now allows qualified aliens to receive Old Age Assistance whereas in previous years only citizens have been eligible for this type of aid. Because of this change, several persons were trans- ferred from Disability Assistance to Old Age Assistance. Such transfer benefits the individuals involved because of increased budgets and saves money for the town because of greater re- imbursement.
In the third category, that of Aid to Dependent Children, the number of persons aided was somewhat greater than dur- ing 1955 and the costs were higher.
In summary, the year just past has seen a slightly dimin- ished case load, a nearly stationary cost per case, in spite of a five per cent budgetary increase for recipients, and a total ex- penditure for departmental expenditures of an amount within the sum appropriated at last year's Town Meeting.
In planning for 1957, your Board has based its estimates on its experience for 1956, and is asking for a reduced appro- priation for 1957. Ability to keep within this budget will de-
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pend on many factors - continued close supervision of all expenditures, no unforeseen rise in the number of recipients of aid and no changes in the laws which would necessitate increasing the budgets of those receiving assistance.
The Board of Public Welfare wishes to express its appreci- ation to the Selectmen and to the Police Department for their help and cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE H. GARSIDE, Chairman PAUL C. BARBER HOWARD M. CLARK ADRIAN R. CORDEAU PAUL N. SWANSON
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REPORT OF THE DUXBURY RECREATION COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Duxbury:
The recreation needs of our town are growing steadily and the committee recognizing this fact, has taken several steps this year to expand its services. This is only done on the basis of sound discussion within the ten member commit- tee, recognizing growth and requirements as they develop.
The Duxbury Tennis Club was formed this summer on a trial basis, and turned out to fill a need for summer activity for the young folk. Approximately 70 youngsters enjoyed supervised tennis play, three days a week for eight weeks under an able director. We were very fortunate to obtain his services for the summer and the success of the program was mainly due to his efforts. We are including the tennis activity in our budget, as this past year has shown more than ever the need for such a summer program.
The Bon Homme group, made up of seventh and eighth graders, enjoyed their program of record hops, game and ath- letic nights, roller skating, splash parties, scavenger hunts, etc. The program runs from September through May. This group was resumed again in September and has operated into De- cember with the same varied program. This group meets only on weekends and does not meet when school social activities coincide.
In September, after due deliberation, another group was started for the ninth and tenth graders. They named them- selves Teen-Canteen. The program is somewhat in line with the Bon Homme group. They do not meet on the same eve-
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ning as Bon Homme and here again, it is a weekend program, not conflicting with school social activities.
Both Bon Homme and Teen-Canteen fulfill a definite need for a programmed, supervised recreational activity for our twelve through fifteen year old youngsters. The directors of these groups are well trained individuals, teachers, and the programs are under capable direction.
A junior badminton program was started with twelve youngsters in September. This has grown by leaps and bounds in the last two months. As of late November, there were fifty- two enrolled, here again showing a definite need for this type of recreation. This activity serves a group somewhat outside of Bon Homme and Teen-Canteen. This program, here again, is under the able direction of an extremely well qualified in- structor. It is the considered opinion of the Committee that an organized program would benefit the town's young folk and therefore, we are including this in our budget for 1957.
The attendance at Bon Homme averages out at 70; on Teen-Canteen 45; Badminton, 50; and Tennis 70 per week.
These programmed, supervised activities have increased the use of the Old Town Hall. This has also created an in- creased need for custodian services, electricity, oil, mainten- ance, directors, etc. At the present time, the Old Town Hall is used by the following groups; Choral Society, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Sea Scouts, Bon Homme, Teen-Canteen, Badmin- ton - Junior and Senior.
The Committee will continue to furnish our young folk with a well rounded and directed recreation program, en- deavoring to maintain the services of the Old Town Hall for various groups.
Respectfully submitted,
DUXBURY RECREATION COMMITTEE WALTER F. KOPKE, JR., Chairman
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REPORT OF TARKILN RECREATION AND YOUTH CENTER
During the year 1956, the Tarkiln Recreation and Youth Center was well patronized by the youth of our town and their friends, with a total of approximately 6000 hours of super- vised recreation. Also the center was used for many social gatherings.
A new heating system has been installed and some new playground equipment has been purchased.
The committee wishes to thank the good people of Dux- bury for their financial and moral support.
Respectfully, DONALD F. RAYCROFT,
President
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REPORT OF ANNUAL DUXBURY DAYS PARADE COMMITTEE
Town of Duxbury St. George Street Duxbury, Mass. Attention Mr. Philip Delano:
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the 1956, 21st Annual Dux- bury Days Parade Committee.
A total of $965.00 was spent by this committee, as item- ized on page two, of which the Town voted to appropriate the sum of $750.
Following the practice of previous years, the cost of the bands, as shown in items No. 1 thru No. 3, were paid directly by the Town. The remaining expenditures were paid by the Legion, which will bill the Town for the balance due from the appropriation, amounting to $155.00.
We wish to thank and extend our appreciation to the Police Dept., Fire Dept., Highway Dept., Park Dept., and the many other groups and individuals, whose splendid co- operation helped to make this parade a success.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL R. SENCABAUGH,
Parade Chairman
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Duxbury Days 1956 Parade Costs
Bands (items No. 1 thru No. 3)
1. Plymouth Post No. 40 American Legion $245.00
2. Dorchester Community Corps. (Cowgirls) $200.00
3. Braintree Drum and Bugle Corp. $150.00
$595.00
4. Abington Legion Band, sponsored by no cost the Duxbury Kiwanis to town
Cost of other entrants
A. Floats, Ist, $100.00, 2nd, $50.00, 3rd, $25.00 4ht, $10.00, 5th, $5.00 $190.00
B. Horribles, 1st, $50.00, 2nd, $25.00, 3rd, $15.00 4th, $10.00, 5th, $5.00 $105.00
C. Cost of South Shore Antique Auto Club $50.00
D. Best Out Of Town Color Guard $25.00
$370.00
Total Cost of Parade $965.00
Judges - 1956 Parade
Floats
Mr. Hector Holmes
Mrs. H. Billings Andrews Mrs. Theo. M. Chase
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Horribles
Mr. Harold Shurtleff Mr. T. Waldo Herrick Mr. Wendall Thornton
Best Out Of Town Color Guard
All Judges Involved
Parade Committee
Paul R. Sencabaugh, Chairman
David Marshall, Marching Units
Henry Butterworth, Bands
Frank Roberts and Gordon Cushing, Horribles
Richard Everett and Thomas Barclay, Floats
Walter Prince, Transportation
Eben N. Briggs, Fire Departments
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REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I respectfully submit my report as Building Inspector for the period beginning January 1, 1956 through December 31, 1956.
The following figures pertaining to the Building Inspector Department show the total number of permits processed for the year 1956:
Houses 26
Garages
22
Alterations 82
Miscellaneous (electrical, cesspools,
other buildings, etc.) 129
Total permits issued 284
The total estimated costs based primarily on information submitted on "Application Forms" for permits:
For year 1956 $610,603.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT B. DELANO
Building Inspector
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REPORT OF THE WATERFRONT COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury:
With added responsibilties and the need of more improve- ments on the waterfront, it was decided to add two more to our Committee. Irving Locke and "Mike" Butler, both boat minded men.
With dredging underway and the loss of so many moor- ings during the winter it gave us an opportunity to try a new mooring plan without causing too much inconvenience to the boat owners.
Our plan consisted of:
A. Classing boats together of a size and draft
B. Transit mooring locations, record the boats with their positions
Recommended: With additional boating requirements and the necessity of the Harbor Master being there more of the time, his pay should be satisfactorily increased.
Recommended: Town residents' boat tenders only on Town floats.
Recommended: Swimming be discontinued on Town floats before someone gets seriously hurt.
Recommended: A gravel and rock fill runway be installed at Howland's Lane.
Respectfully submitted,
WATERFRONT COMMITTEE
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REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
January 21, 1957
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Personnel Board was reorganized when Mr. Jack Barry, Chairman, resigned. The Finance Committee ap- pointed Mr. Irving Locke to replace Mr. Barry as the Finance Committee member. Mr. Phillip Delano was elected chairman, and Mr. Winthrop Baker continued to serve as the Board's third member.
Meetings have been held with all department heads for the purpose of reviewing classifications and wage rates. As a result of these meetings, some new classifications have been developed and others have been revised. These meetings have helped us get a better understanding of the problems facing the department heads and we hope, through our discussions, we have been of some help to the department heads.
A general increase (eight per cent) was granted in lieu of individual single step increases by each department. This increase was granted by the Board (pending approval at the next town meeting) after a meeting and discussion with all department heads and the increase was retroactive to Janu- ary 1, 1956.
Classifications developed and revised by the Board during the year will be included in a formal amendment for ratifi- cation at the next town meeting as per section (5d) of the Classification and Wages and Salary Plan by-law.
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The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the fine cooperation it has received from all department heads and from the Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. DELANO, Chairman IRVING H. LOCKE, Secretary WINTHROP A. BAKER Personnel Board, Town of Duxbury
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
and Citizens of Duxbury:
STATISTICS
Building Permits for new construction:
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
51
36
64
85
75
66
59
67
49
26
Additional data under "New Subdivision Control Law":
1953
1954
1955
1956
Permits New Construction
59
67
49
26
Subdivisions Considered
9
62
102
52
Approved
7
62
72
42
Plans (not subdivisions)
Endorsed
131
52
40
22
Miscellaneous Items Referred to Board
6
8
9
4
('Last 3 months only)
(2Small-driveways only, 3-1954, 6-1955, 2-1956)
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DISCUSSION
Through the Planning Division of the Department of Commerce of Massachusetts your Board has made application for "matching funds" to be made available under Title VII of the Housing Act of 1954 by the Federal Government. The processing of this application has taken somewhat longer than we anticipated and no funds were made available in 1956 as we had hoped. Our budget for professional services has been revised to include this three year program in the years 1957, 1958 and 1959. During the course of these three years we hope to bring up to date our present land use study map, and to make a study and formal report on future land use with maps as necessary.
In conjunction with the study of future land use, a pop- ulation study and report for the use of the Board should be provided. Other development studies to be scheduled for inclusion in the three year program when funds are made available can be recreation facilities, municipal utilities, other municipal services, industrial development, and school needs. As a result of these studies, and the anticipated growth of the Town we expect to revise our existing studies of both sub- division regulations and zoning regulations. These revisions when correlated to those above could lead to recommendations in our Consultant's expected formal report for changes in the Subdivision Regulations and changes in the zoning by-law.
We expect, as part of the work to be done by our Consul- tant under our direction and with the advice and assistance of the Planning Division of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce, to receive studies and formal reports for Planning Board use, of traffic circulation, off street parking, and com- munity facilities.
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Your Board had a representative at the 42nd Annual Planning Conference of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards at Holyoke on October 19th and 20th.
A member of the Board has been representing all Depart- ments of the Town at the series of Southeastern Massachusetts Economic Conferences, held in various locations throughout this part of the State.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to acknowledge the co-operation and aid of the Board of Selectmen and the Inspector of Buildings in the en- forcement of zoning and planning regulations. The Highway Superintendent, the Superintendents and Commissioners of the Water Department, and the Agent of the Board of Health have given their usual co-operation where matters of Highway, Water, or Sanitary facilities were involved in subdivision con- trol.
We continue our hope that the citizens will call to our attention areas in which the Planning Board can be of service in preserving that which is so much an integral part of the charm of Duxbury, and in directing the growth and necessary change in the Town in a satisfactory manner.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER L. BARKER, Clerk CARL F. DANNER LUCIUS A. HOWARD DAVID H. MARSHALL ATHERTON LORING, JR., Chairman
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REPORT OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING March 10, 1956
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 P.M. by the Mod- erator, Bartlett B. Bradley.
Invocation was given by Rev. William S. Anthony.
A quorum being in attendance, the meeting was declared in order.
The Town Clerk read the call for the meeting and the return of service.
It was then voted to dispense with the reading of the Warrant.
The tellers, Mary S. Crocker, Eunice B. Dohoney, Eileen P. Jones, Rodney M. Leach, John E. Lucey, Harry A. Mc- Naught, Mary S. McNeil, Alice E. Merry, Gilbert F. Redlon, and Frank H. Williams, were sworn in by the Town Clerk.
There being no objection, the Moderator declared that proponents of any article in the warrant shall be given oppor- tunity to speak on the question before the article may be tabled, as in previous years.
Under Article 1, it was voted that the appointment of necessary officers not chosen by ballot be left in the hands of the Selectmen.
Under Article 2, it was voted that the reports of the vari- ous town officers and committees be accepted as printed in
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the Town Report, with the addition of a Supplementary Report read by the Finance Committee Chairman, Mr. Wil- liam A. Scherff, and clarified by use of a chart. This supple- mentary report was in substance as follows:
1. Introduction of Committee.
2. A Finance Committee functions in two ways: (a) cur- rent budgets; (b) planning.
3. Introduces chart showing the amount of money taken to run the town in each year for the years 1945 to 1955. This gross amount comes from just three sources:
a. Taxes (Real, personal, poll, shown in red)
b. Receipts (Corp. tax, excise tax, miscellaneous) rep- resented by broken line;
c. Money transferred (taken out of bank). The blue area represents that portion of the total obtained from receipts and available funds.
4. This is what we see in this chart: A 3 time Increase in the expense of running the town with:
a. Only 13/4 times growth in population (2480-4200)
b. Only 11/4 times growth in number of homes (1544- 2064)
c. An assessed value up only 11/2 times ($7,221,273 to $10,402,450)
d. A very slight increase - and little possibility of any sharp increase - in Receipts.
e. The drastic effects of school building needs, shown by these peaks.
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5. The only possible result, unless some careful planning is done, is an increase in your tax bill. Receipts are not going up fast enough to match expenses. We can't forever take from "savings" or "available cash". In 1955, taxes carried 65.9% of the total bill.
6. "What to do about it?" is a problem common to all towns. Your Finance Committee thinks something can be done with
a. The continued good management exhibited in the past;
b. Recognition of the danger areas such as heavy capi- tal expenditures (schools) ; a sharp population growth occasioned by the rapid development of the state highway system;
c. Taking steps to offset these dangers.
7. Before showing you the Summary of 1956 vs. 1955 figures upon which you are to vote, your Finance Committee would like to leave these specific recommendations with you:
1. On Schools - about one-third of budget. The joint statement of the Finance Committee and School Committee, coming later, will give you the details of proposals designed to keep the level of the two big COST ITEMS - Instruction and Buildings -- at a level we can afford.
. 2. On Heavy Capital Expenditures - Forecast them and build the stabilization Fund as rapidly as the laws will permit. The Regional School is also involved in this area.
3. On Welfare and Benefits - Usually second biggest item in town costs - keep a good Committee, and a good Ad- ministrator on the job. Your best control on a heavy cost,
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so involved with Federal and State requirements that this is your best bet. With a bow to Miss Deans, Mr. McNeil, Howard Clark and his committee.
4. On Recreation Facilities - Time for overall control. Recommend to Selectmen - appointment of a Recreation Commission (no pay, of course) operating town-wide with present individual groups to turn in single budget. These expenditures now in many places and are creeping up. This year at $7,619. Not too much, used in right places, but big enough to put central control on it under planned program.
5. On Income - Our one opportunity for increased in- come, without an equivalent increase in services and costs, seems to lie in the introduction of industry. To the Planning Board - we recommend an early consideration of areas which might be so opened - to be then discussed with the Select- men - and the proposition posed to the voters at the next Town Meeting - Special or regular.
8. Now, to the business of the day. Let me quickly run through the 1956 vs. 1955 figures on the reverse of this chart.
a. Comment on net increase in Art. 4 - actual com- parison is about $49,000 or slightly over 7% - A good job! Addition of Water Dept. accounts for balance - usually self-liquidating.
b. Amounts raised in special articles - down - and that's excellent.
c. Amounts from available funds - fortunate to have $43,000. to cover Elementary School Addition; $20,000. to start water projects - but can't always count on such good luck.
d. Taking $80,000. instead of $70,000. to help reduce tax rate. Fortunate again.
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9. We conclude this addition to our Report to the Town by expressing once again, our sincere appreciation to the Selectmen, Department Heads, Town Committees and various town organizations for their fine cooperation in negotiating final budgets which we could approve.
WILLIAM A. SCHERFF
LOUIS B. TURA
H. G. FRANCKE
HARRY WHITON WINTHROP A. CLARKE
JAMES H. W. JENNER
JACK BARRY
A. C. WAGHORNE
RALPH OSBORN
Finance Committee
Under Article 3, it was voted to fix the compensation of the elected Town officers for the year as follows:
Selectmen:
Chairman
$1,400.00
Second Member
512.50
Third Member
512.50
Assessors:
Chairman
1,400.00
Second Member
600.00
Third Member
600.00
Town Clerk
1,818.00
Town Treasurer
1,818.00
Tax Collector
2,860.00
Tree Warden
1,900.00
Moderator
40.00
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Water Commissioners:
First Member 150.00 Second Member 150.00 Third Member 150.00
and raise and appropriate the sum of $13,911.00 for the same.
Under Article 4, it was voted to raise and appropriate the following amounts for the following Town Departments, and to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,010.00 to cover same:
Accounting, Out of State Travel $ 70.00
Personnel Board
50.00
Finance Committee
50.00
Town Historian
100.00
Fire, Out of State Travel
300.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
355.00
Bounties
60.00
Hydrant Rental
550.00
Vital Statistics
15.00
Animal Inspection
150.00
Inspection of Slaughtered Animals
25.00
Poison Ivy Control
375.00
Public Welfare, Out of State Travel
100.00
School Department, Out of State Travel
200.00
Vocational Training, Adult
410.00
Water, Out of State Travel
100.00
Cemetery, Out of State Travel
40.00
Boomer Square 60.00
Also under Article 4, it was voted to raise and appropriate the following amounts for the following Town Departments:
Selectmen's Department 4,638.63
Accounting Department 4,285.96
Treasurer's Department 1,430.00
Tax Collector's Department 3,320.00
Assessors' Department 4,842.97
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Town Clerk's Department
1,000.00
Election and Registration
2,090.00
Law Department
2,500.00
Planning Board
1,500.00
Town Office
7,760.00
Appeal Board
706.00
Police Department
38,494.56
Fire Department
21,041.13
Forest Fire Department
4,272.00
Insect Pest Control
4,394.00
Tree Department
3,883.00
Building Inspector
3,850.00
Shellfish Constable
2,859.50
Control Dutch Elm Disease
6,388.00
Health Department
3,910.00
Town Dump
2,500.00
South Shore Mosquito Control
7,550.00
Greenhead Fly Control
1,500.00
Highway Department
41,542.00
Bridge Department
9,520.00
Town Landing
2,500.00
Snow and Ice Removal
20,000.00
Harbor Master
1,618.00
Street Lights
5,400.00
Department of Public Welfare
Old Age Assistance
66,750.00
Aid to Dependent Children
Disability Assistance
Veteran's Benefits -
11,692.00
At this time Mr. Scherff, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, read a joint statement of the Finance and School Com- mittees, which was as follows:
"The Finance Committee and the School Committee have spent a great deal of time on the proposed 1956 school budget.
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This is the largest budget in any town warrant, and deserving of all the time and scrutiny that can be put into it.
The Finance Committee raise no particular points of dis- agreement on the majority of the items in this year's school budget, such as Maintenance and Repairs, General Control, Supplies, Auxiliary Agencies, etc. These, if any, were quickly and easily ironed out.
The critical area of discussion was the matter of teachers' salaries - under the budget item "Instruction". On this point both committees were in agreement with the principle that some day in the not too distant future, the level of teachers' salaries will be brought up to levels comparable with indus- trial and professional levels requiring similar training, skill, and responsibilities. There was also agreement that the Town of Duxbury must continue to position its schools to compete for the best available in teaching talent.
The School Committee, in their budget, proposes a con- tinuation of present compensation techniques, whereby teachers are paid on the basis of a "salary schedule" that pro- vides for maximum and minimum salaries for teachers, with annual increments or increases according to the years of service of each teacher. These increments are only automatic if the teacher completes required or approved courses of study each three years. The net result of this type of compensation is that no financial advantage is provided for superior work by the teacher. Also, any change upwards in the schedule itself results in an "across-the-board" type of increase for all teachers.
The Finance Committee leans very strongly towards the development of a new compensation plan that will permit the school authorities to provide more compensation to teachers with excellent performance than to other teachers, even assum- ing identical educational degrees and years of service.
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In joint discussion between the two committees it was learned that the School Committee also favors this latter ap- proach, and has in fact already taken action in that direction. It is hoped by the School Committee and by the Finance Com- mittee that these recommendations will result in the develop- ment of a new teacher compensation plan, incorporating the principle of extra compensation for "merit", and that this plan will be part of the School Department's 1957 budget request.
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